Tata Martino mum on “excellent player” Pity Martinez rumors

Atlanta United manager Tata Martino had no official comment on the rumors linking the club with a move for River Plate midfielder Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez. The club’s policy is to never talk about players under contracts with other teams and Martino stuck to that during his media availability Thursday morning.

While Tata wouldn’t talk about the several reports saying that the Five Stripes are “very close” to signing Martinez, he did acknowledge that he knows of the 25-year-old and called him an “excellent player.”

Martino’s future is still up in the air with a decision on if he’ll remain with Atlanta United through the end of this season or depart to be made in the near future. Perhaps have the services of a highly rated player such as Pity Martinez could be an enticing prospect to try and get him to stay? We can only speculate on that as the deal has not been completed.

River Plate’s president reportedly has denied that any offers for Martinez have been made, but reports indicate that all Atlanta would have to do is trigger the $17 million release clause in his contract to secure his rights.